FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 4: Administrative and Information Matters › Subpart 4.21
FAR 4.2102 Prohibition.
The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.
In plain English
This section prohibits agencies from procuring or obtaining equipment, systems, or services that use covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component or critical technology, and from contracting with entities that use such equipment or services. The prohibitions took effect August 13, 2019 for procurements and August 13, 2020 for contracts with entities using covered equipment, unless an exception or waiver applies. It matters to contractors because their use of covered telecommunications equipment or services can affect their eligibility for Federal contracts, even if that use is unrelated to the contract work.
Applies to: Agencies and contractors providing or using equipment, systems, or services
Key terms: covered telecommunications equipment or services · substantial or essential component · critical technology · waiver · System for Award Management (SAM)
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Prohibited equipment, systems, or services. (1) On or after August 13, 2019, agencies are prohibited from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception at paragraph (b) of this section applies or the covered telecommunications equipment or services are covered by a waiver described in 4.2104.
(2) On or after August 13, 2020, agencies are prohibited from entering into a contract, or extending or renewing a contract, with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception at paragraph (b) of this section applies or the covered telecommunications equipment or services are covered by a waiver described in 4.2104. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract.
(b) Exceptions. This subpart does not prohibit agencies from procuring or contractors from providing—
(1) A service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or
(2) Telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.
(c) Contracting Officers. Unless an exception at paragraph (b) of this section applies or the covered telecommunications equipment or service is covered by a waiver described in 4.2104, Contracting Officers shall not— (1) Procure or obtain, or extend or renew a contract (e.g., exercise an option) to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system; or
(2) Enter into a contract, or extend or renew a contract, with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system.
(d) Recording prohibitions in the System for Award Management (SAM).
(1) Prohibitions on purchases of products or services produced or provided by entities identified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of the definition of “covered telecommunications equipment or services” (including known subsidiaries or affiliates) at 4.2101 will be recorded in SAM (see 9.404).
(2) Prohibitions on purchases of products or services produced or provided by entities identified pursuant to paragraph (4) of the definition of “covered telecommunications equipment or services” (including known subsidiaries or affiliates) at 4.2101 are recorded by the Department of Defense in SAM (see 9.404).
Sections it refers to
← 4.2101 Definitions. · 4.2103 Procedures. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 4
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 1, 2, 4, 33, 39, 40, and 53 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs ↗ · proposed 2025-06-12
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Controlled Unclassified Information ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk ↗ · proposed 2025-01-13
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Rerepresentation of Size and Socioeconomic Status ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems From Covered Foreign Entities ↗ · final rule 2024-12-30
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.